Hawaii’s kūpuna are the heart of our communities. They carry forward the values of aloha—caring, trust, and compassion—that shape life across the islands. Unfortunately, these same values are increasingly being exploited by scammers who target older adults through sophisticated Medicare fraud schemes.
With Hawaii leading the nation in life expectancy and nearly one in four residents over the age of 65, scammers see opportunity. Today, more than 300,000 Medicare beneficiaries call Hawaii home, and that number is expected to exceed 500,000 in the coming years. This growing population has made our islands a prime target for fraudsters using advanced technology, AI-generated voices, and large databases of potential victims.
Many kūpuna live alone or in rural and remote areas across the islands, while others reside in multi-generational households where levels of technology familiarity vary. Hawaii’s unique lifestyle—shaped by a high cost of living, reliance on tourism, and a transient population with people frequently coming and going—can make it harder to distinguish legitimate contacts from fraudulent ones.
Scammers take advantage of this environment by creating urgency, fear, or the promise of “free” benefits. When these tactics are combined with official-sounding language and spoofed phone numbers, even the most cautious individuals can be caught off guard.
Medicare fraud in Hawaii often begins with unsolicited phone calls, texts, or emails. Some of the most common scams include:
New Medicare Card Scams: Fraudsters claim Medicare is issuing new plastic or chip-enabled cards and ask for your Medicare number to “verify” your account or receive the new card.
“Free” Medical Equipment or Tests: Offers of braces, medical supplies, or genetic and cancer screenings in exchange for your Medicare number, Social Security number, bank information, or payment.
Impersonation Scams: Callers pretend to be Medicare representatives, doctors, or government officials, often using spoofed caller ID numbers to appear legitimate.
Benefit Cancellation Threats: Scammers threaten to cancel your Medicare benefits if you don’t provide personal information immediately.
All of these tactics are designed to steal Medicare identification numbers, which can then be used for fraudulent billing and identity theft.
Staying informed is one of the most effective ways to prevent Medicare fraud. Keep these important tips in mind:
Hang up on unsolicited calls. Never share your Medicare number, Social Security number, or banking information with callers you did not contact.
Know that Medicare does not call you. Medicare will not call, text, or email you unexpectedly to ask for your number or sell products or services.
Verify independently. If you are concerned about your benefits, contact Medicare directly using official phone numbers.
Be skeptical of “free” offers. If medical equipment or tests sound too good to be true, they likely are.
Report suspicious activity. Reporting scams helps protect you and others in the community.
It’s also important to remember that Medicare cards are paper, do not expire, and are never replaced with plastic or chip cards. You should never be asked for your Medicare number by unsolicited callers.
Kūpuna deserve to age with dignity, security, and peace of mind. Medicare fraud does more than drain finances—it can lead to stress, isolation, and even disruptions in medical care. The impact often extends beyond the individual, affecting families and the wider community.
By staying informed and sharing this information with loved ones, neighbors, and caregivers, we help protect Hawaii’s kūpuna and uphold the true spirit of aloha. Awareness, conversation, and vigilance are powerful tools—and together, they help ensure Medicare remains a trusted and reliable resource for generations to come.
